Automatic ice maker



y 22 1945. T. w. RUQDELL 2,316 819 AUTOMATIC ICE MAKER Filed Feb. 26, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /cii.

I AWVWMV y l945- T. w. RUNII DELL- 2,376,819

AUTOMATIC ICE. MAKER Filed Feb. 26, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 22, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,376,8l9 I v I AUTOMATIC ICE MAKER Theodore W. Randell, Ablngton, Pa., asslgnor to Philco Radio and Television Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application February 26, 1944, Serial No. 524,054

9 Claims. (Cl. 62-106) This invention relates to refrigerators and has especial reference to apparatus for the automatic production of ice masses, more commonly called cubes.

More particularly, the invention is concerned with an improvement-in the apparatus for the automatic and sequential freezing of ice masses for domestic consumption, and the storage of the same in readily available form as disclosed in the copending application of T. W. Rundell, Serial No. 515,958 filed December 28, 1943.

The aforesaid application discloses an apparatus in which ice forming molds mounted in a refrigerator are automatically supplied with water to be frozen, and in which thermo-sensitive means is provided'for controlling the flow of said water into the mold and for freeing the frozen masses from the mold member after completion of the freezing cycle, and it is in respect to an improvement in this thermo-sensitive means that the present invention has particular reference.

A principal object of the invention is to provide such ice making apparatus with improved thermo sensitive means.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a bi-metallic thermo-sensitive device which functions in improvedmanner to control the flow of water into the molds andto free the frozen masses from the mold after completion of the freezing. cycle.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel mounting for the thermo-sensitive element which functions to the-end that a major portion of the potential energy available in said element will be expended to best advantage and under the most favorable conditions in freeing the frozen masses from the mold.

These and other objects and advantages will be more readily understood by consideration of the following description in conjunction with the p y ng drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a fragmentary portion of a refrigerator embodying the invention; and

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the ice molding member and certain associated. apparatus.

With particular reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the reference character 2 designates a portion of a domestic refrigerator of the mechanical type which may include an outer shell 3 and an inner metal shell or liner' member 4, the said liner encasing thefood storage compartment 5 and being insulated from the outer shell by suitable thermal insulation 6. The reference numeral 9 indicates a machinery compartment located beneath thefood storage space 5, which compartment houses a, motor compressor unit (not shown). A horizontal floor member H divides the machinery compartment from the upper portion of the cabinet, the insulation 8 being continued across said floor. As the particular refrigerant flow circuit employed to effect cooling of the food storage space forms no part of the present invention, the flow passages and the connections thereto have not been illustrated in the drawings. g

In the illustrated embodiment, a double thickness partition I! provides a floor for the food storage compartment, and a, gasket I3 is interposed between the partition members andthe adjacent wall portions of the inner liner 4. Mounted beneath this partition isa low-temperature evaporator it which comprises a horizontal floor l5, vertical side walls is anda-central vertical wall ll, dividing the space within said evaporator into a pair of compartments to be maintained normally at freezing temperatures. As shown in Fig; 1, the evaporator is-provided with an outwardlytumed flange portion l8 at the free edge of each of the vertical walls l6, by means of which theevaporator is supported in the cabinet by connections eifected at IS in the general plane of the partition member 9.

As described in the aforesaid pending application, the apparatus comprises a plurality of ice molding members or cups 20 formed in the lower wall of the evaporator H, to which cups water is fedfrom a, storage tank 2| located within-the food storage compartment 5, the level of the water in the cups being determined and maintained by a suitable float valve mechanism represented generally by the cylindrical housing 22. The operating cycle includes filling of the cups 20 to the desired level, freezing of the contents thereof, and consequent forcible elevation in the cups of the ice masses by means of a temperature responslve element. This upward movement automatically conditions the mechanism to permit the inflow of additional water to fill the space left by the raising of the ice block, after which the freezing cycle is reinitiated.

Walls 23 and 23a extend upwardly from the floor of the evaporator running from the forward to the rearward edge of the evaporator in general parallelism with the side walls l6 and closely adjacent to the cups 20. A pair of cover members 24, 24 are slidingly supported in the evaporator sidewall and the partitions 23 and 23a to form closed spaces around the cups 20. To obtain access to frozen ice misses. the cover members may be drawn forwardly in their supports.

Describingthe ice forming and storing apparatus with more particularity, it will appear that water is delivered from the storage tank 2| (maintained at a temperature above freezing) througha downwardly extending pipe 25, and

into the aforesaid float chamber 22. From the float chamber a passage 26 delivers the water to a supply header 21, which is arranged centrally beneath the cup portion of the evaporator ll to supply water to all the cups, by means of upwardly extending connections 28. Each of these connection passages 28 passes upwardly throughv a vertical arranged hollow conduit 29. the lower end of which passes through the floor II and is in open communication with the motor compressor compartment.

The purpose of these conduits is to conduct sufficient heat from the compressor upwardly to the region of the tubing 2!, to insure that freezing will not occur in said tubes, that is, below the level of the lower wall 'of cups 2B. In addition,-

temperature in the very center of cups 20, the

refrigerant flow passages 30 are preferably arranged so as to constitute a portion of the refrigerant inlet supply header. Although the refri'gerant will be, at least to some extent, active in this-zone, this'arrangement will maintain the passages ill in a substantially flooded condition,

thereby serving to maintain a more constant temperature throughout the operating cycle.

Although any convenient form of evaporator circuit may be employed, there has been illustrated an evaporator of the type having a balanced central feed passage Ii through the ,bottom wall thereof from which the refrigerant passes upwardly through parallel connections 22 to exhaust headers Ilene of'which is illustrated in Fig. 1. I a

With reference to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the cups 20 are of generally frustro-conical configuration and are provided with a lower cylindrical, part 24, Within this cylindrical portion and adjacent its lower edge is securely mounted an internally threaded flanged sleeve member 26 having an inwardly projecting annular lip portion 31 adjacent its upper end. As shown at I. the upper surface of the flanged portion of the tom of cup 20 within which is positioned the ent invention is principally directed. As illustrated in Fig. 2 and in accordance with I the invention, the thermoesensitive element comprises a bi-metal disk 50 having its peripheral edge portion seated within a circumferential inwardlyfaoing groove ii of an annular rubber grommet 54. The grommet is provided with an inwardly extending angular flange portion 55 adapted to rest upon surface 46 of plug ill and shaped so as to form a seat for the disk 50 when it is in the illustrated full line position. The

grommet is also provided with an outer head portion v56 which is confined within the recess between the lip portion 31 and the upper surface 46 of plug 40 in a manner providing a space or clearance 51 between the outer surface of the bead and the inner wall of sleeve 36, which space is sealed against entry of water from the cup 7 by having the vertical dimension of said bead portion sufliciently greater than the corresponding depth of recess 41 that the head is slightly compressed between the lip and the upper portion 46 of plug in a water-tight manner.

I Disk 50 is movable with a snap action between the upper and lower positions illustrated in Fig. 2 in dotted and full lines respectively. The disk carries a valve member 60 flxed to the lower surface thereof, which is adapted tocooperate with a valve seat 61 to control the passage of water through the delivery system (to the cup. It will be understood that the valve is carried upwardly when the disk moves to the position. shown in dotted lines.

The disk has a, number of apertures 82 through which water is delivered to the cup. as hereinafter described. Flange of grommet 54 may position, in

be provided withupstanding projections 83 for registry with apertures 62 when the disk is in its lower position. These projections serve to .close the openings 62 when the disk is in said lower order to prevent formation of ice within said apertures. Disk Blrmay be prevented from rotating relative to said ommet by suitable means, such as bonding i peripheral edge within groove 5|, so that registry of projections 63 with apertures 82 will not be destroyed.

It should be noted that a ring 85, of rubber or the like, surrounds the top of each of the cups 2c and is provided with an annular lip as ex-i tending somewhat into the cup opening, said lip having a number of slots formed thereabout.

member II is secured to adjacent portion 39 of the evaporator, as by means of. welding. A centrally bored plug member 20 has threaded engagement wit the inside surface of sleeve-38 and the end of the water supply vpipe 28 is mounted within said plug and is secured as by means of the weld indica at M. Plug I has a lower annular extension 42 of reduced size, to which is secured the upper end of conduit 29.- A gasket is shown at 42, interposed between theplug and the flange portion of sleeve 36; and a'thre'aded' collar ll servesto maintain the desired gasket pressure.

spaced from and beneath lip portion 21 of sleeve 86 and forms with the said lip an annular recessll in the bot- This ring is maintained, in position by an apertured plate 61, provided with downwardly turned portions 68 adapted to engage the ring as best illustrated in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig; 1, plate 61 is secured to the fixed evaporator structure.

The operation of the device is as follows: Let

it be consideredthat evaporator i4 is operating,

and that no water has as yet been delivered'to' cups 20; in such circumstance theevaporator circuit including the enlarged flow passages 30 will lower the temperatureof cups 20 and therefore of disks ill to some predetermined minimum temperature, for example in the neighborhood of from 0 degrees to. 15' degrees Fahrenheit. The

existence of this, predetermined minimum temperature causes the thermo-sensitive disk to snap to its upper positionv (shown in dotted lines) thereby opening the valve 60 and the ports 62.. Water now flows from the supply tank 2i and is delivered to the cups through pipes 25 and 28,

as described, under regulationof the float valve device 22 and as indicated at 89.

thermo-sensitive element. 48 to which the pres- 2,a7e,e1o

the major impulse of which.the disk is capable The water thus introduced mm the clips 20 will be relatively warm as compare'd'to the temperature of the cup and of the disk 50, .this by virtue of the heat exchange taking place through the conduit 29, and due also to the fact that the water supply header 21 is located immediately above the machine compartment. When the cup has been substantially filled with water, to the level indicated at 69, the temperature of the bimetal disk 50 will have been raised sufficiently to cause it to snap back to its lower position shown in full lines, thereby seating the valve 60 against its scat 6|, and plugging the disk flow ports 62 to prevent formation of ice therein. It will be understood that the characteristics of the disk must be predetermined so as to cause it to snap between its upper and lower positions in response to the differential temperatures existin during the operating cycle. of exerting an upward force suflicient to break the bond existing between the ice block and the mold member, and to raise said block upwardly a. distance equal to the complete travel of said disk.

Due to the action of the evaporator portions 30, the liquid contained in cup 20 is then frozen, during which time the disk remains in its lower position. After the freezing operation is completed, the temperature of the cup and of the block of ice therein will be steadily reduced until a predetermined minimum is reached (for example from to F.), at which time the disk snaps to its upward position, freeing the bond between the ice and the mold and forcing the ice block upwardly in the cup. The reference numeral 69a appearing in Figi 2, indicates a dot and dash representation of the position of the ice block after it has been so elevated. As the ice block is raised, the resilient lip portion 86 is forced backwardly under the influence of the rising block and thereafter returns to the position illustrated, wherein it will act to maintain the ice mass in the raised position, without the support of disk member 50. From this point on the cycle is repeated, with the thermo-sensitive disk snapping to its lower position and the freezing of the water being reinitiated.

As previously set forth, the disk 50, following completion of the freezing cycle, is subjected to a declining temperature which, in accordance with well known principles, tends to condition the disk for the snap movement to the elevated position, this phase entailing the flattening of the disk into a condition approaching dead center relationship between the central and outer or peripheral portions of the disk in which the aforesaid snap action may occur. In accordance with the present invention, this conditioning phase manifests itself initially in a retractive or downward movement of the outer or peripheral portions of the disk, the said outer portions being free for such gnovement by reason of the presence .of the resilient grommet, and the central portion reacting with the ice mass.

The immediate effect The disk is capable is transmitted when the disk ha been distorted to the point where snap action would normally.

occur, the net effect of the aforedescribed operation is to insure the application of suchimpulse to the ice mass in performance of the double function of the disk to free the ice mass from the walls of the mold andto elevate the mass thus freed.

' As described in the aforesaid application, the cyclic operation of the mechanism will continue until a cylinder of ice has been found in each cup which projects upwardly a distance determined by the cover members 24, 24.

While a preferred structural embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, the invention contemplates such changes and modifications as may fall within thescope of the appended claims.

I claim: 1. In apparatus for forming ice masses, a mold member adapted to receive water to be frozen,

. means for freezing the water to form an ice mass.

and a thermo-sensitive element subject to flexure under changing temperatures betweenadvanced and retracted positions with respect to the mold cavity and reactive with the ice mass to free the said mass from the mold member, said element in retracted position having a portion thereof free for limited movement away from said mass.

3. In-apparatus for forming ice masses, a mold member adapted to receive Water to be frozen,

r means for freezing the water to form an ice mass,

and a bi-metallic disk subject to flexure under changing temperatures between advanced and retracted positions with respect to the mold cavity and operative to free the ice mass from the mold member, said disk in the retracted position having,

' means for freezing the water to form an ice mass,

and theme-sensitive means for freeing said mass Y from the mold member, said means including a bi-metallic disk forming a portion of the surface of the mold cavity and subject to flexure under the eflects of-changing temperatures between ad vanced and retracted positions with respect to said cavity, and resilient supporting means for the peripheral edge of the disk, said resilien't'means forming a water-tight seal between-the said edge and the adjoining portions of the mold and affording freedom for limited movement ofthe said edge portionof the disk away from the cavity.

5. In apparatus for forming ice masses, a mold member adapted to receive water to be frozen, means for freezing the water to form an ice mass, and thenno-sensitive means for freein'g said mass from the mold member, said means including a concavo-convex bi-metallic disk forming a portion of the surface of the mold cavity, and a re- V means for freezing the water to form an ice mass,

and thermo-sensitive means for freeing said mass from the mold member, said means including a resilient member mounted in a recess in the inner face of the wall of the mold cavity, a oi-metallic disk having its peripheral edge resiliently fulcrumed in said member and subject to flexure under changing temperatures and about said fulcrum between retracted and advanced positions in said cavity, said member providing a seat for 8. In apparatus for forming ice masses, a mold member adapted to receive water to be frozen, means for freezing the water to form an ice mass, and thermo-sensitive means for freeing said mass from the mold member, said means including a resilient member mounted in the wall of the mold,

- a bi-metallic disk having its peripheral edge rethe body of the disk when the latter is in the retracted position, an aperture in said disk, and a teat on said member arranged to enter said aperture when the disk is seated on the member.

7. In apparatus for forming ice masses, a mold member adapted to receive water to be frozen, means for freezing the water to form an ice mass. and thermo-sensitive means for freeing said mass from the mold member, said means including a a resilient member mounted in the wall of the mold,

and a bi-metallic disk having its peripheral edge resiliently fulcrumed in said member and having 1 Y its central portion arranged for reaction'with the ice mass, said disk being subject to iiexure under changing temperatures and about said fulcrum,

between retracted'and advanced positions with respect to the mold cavity.

siliently fulcrumed in said member-and having its central portion arranged for reaction with the ice mass, said disk being subjectto flexure under changing temperatures and about said fulcrum between retracted and advanced positions with respect to the mold cavity, and means affording clearance between the said member and the wall of the; mold to permit displacement of'said member' under the compressive action of the disk.

9. In apparatus for forming ice masses, a mold member adapted to receive water to be frozen, means for freezing the water to form an ice mass, thermo-sensitive means for freeing said mass from the mold member, said means including a resilient member mounted in the wall of the mold, a bimetallic disk having its peripheral edge resiliently fulcrumed in said member and having its central portion arranged for reaction with the ice mass, said disk being subject to flexure under changing temperatures and about said fulcrum between retracted and advanced positions with respect to the mold cavity, means for admitting water to the mold, and means operatively associated with the disk for controlling said admission.

THEopoiaE w. RUNDELL. 

